
G!ass_EllA. 



Rnnk .W<!{ .^ W >7 



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lUo 




1S90 



!n Sxcb, 
9My'01 



JULY 4th, ISeO 



Z50TH ANNivni\aAi\u 



OF THE 



First WI)ite Settlement wttl)in tl)e Territory of 



WlRCMCaTCR. 







**•• 



^..• 



'* A people which takes no pride in the noble acluevements of remote ancestors, 
will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendants." 

Macaulav: History of Etigiaftd, 


CHAl^Iv^aTOWN 








1633 


WAT^RPlElyD 


■ 






1633 


CHAR1.E,3T0WN 


viivivAcin 






I6.i.0 


WOI^URN 


• 






I6i2 


WINCHE,3TER 


, 






1550 




[wB'ljIj.Si-Britwi ' 






PR_nPACG. 



It is difficult to reduce, witliin tlie limits of the folldwing article, the interesting 
and abundant data collected liy the active and lionorary meniljers of the Winchester 
Historical Society, concerning the liist(ny of Winchester. Many historical events, 
an account of which would lie ajipropriate to a complete history, are of necessity 
omitted or ])ut slightly touched upon. It is hoped that the intention o( the 
Historical Society may soon be carried out, and a history of Winchester written in 
a more interesting and comprehensive manner than is possible in this sketch. 

Thanks are due to Mr. W. R. Cutter of Woburn for assistance in the preparation 
of this article. Much valuable matter furnisiied liy him. Ijut omitted for want of 
space, may appear in the more permanent publication alluded to. 

ARTHUR E. WHITNEY. 
GEORGE S. LITTLEFIELD. 



Hfetoricat ^t)efcl) of UJtncf)e^ter. 




^^ 0-DAY, Winchester celeln'ates the 250th anuiversaiy of the lirst white 
settlement within her borders. Two centuries and a half aso the 
jf^~^ territory now embraced in Winchester was a wild, unsettled part of 
^JS"^^ Charlestown, called Waterfield. It was a part of the original 
territory granted to Cliarlestown by the General Court in 1633 and defined in 1636 
as extending "eight miles into the Country from their meeting house." May 13, 
1640, the General Court granted Cliarlestown "two miles at their head line, pro^^ded 
they build within two years;" Oct. 7, 1640, they also voted: "Charles Towne 
petition is granted them, the proportion of four mile square, with their former graunt 
to make a villager (Massachusetts Colony Records.) 

These last additions to Chai'lestown's original grant extended much be3'ond the 
present northerly line of tlie eight mile limit or " Waterfield " and embraced tlie ter- 
ritory of the present City of Woburn and the towns of Burlington (" Shaw Shin ") 
and Wilmington ("The Land of Nod"). The wild lands of Waterfield (1633) 
included only the territory along tlie banks of our Aberjona River from Mystic 
Pond to the land of John Harvard (Winchester Highlands), and the territory 
bordering on Horn Pond and Horn Pond River ; as its name imjilies, it was a water- 
field. It was surveyed and allotted to the inhabitants of Charlestown previous to 
1638. (See Charlestown Book of Possessions.) By tliis record, supijlemented by 
a map of Waterfield, drawn by the late George Cooke (Winchester Record, Vol. II., 
No. 2), Winchester can define and locate her land owners of 1688. They 
included such men as Edward Converse, Edward Johnson, Increase Nowell, Zacha- 
riah Symmes, .John Harvard, Thomas Graves, Ezekiel, Sanuiel, and Thonia.s Richard- 
son, William Frothingham, George Bunker, and many otliers wliose connection with 
our early history we are proud to acknowledge. 

It is evident from both the Charlestown and Massachusetts Colony Records that 
it was the intention of Charlestown to allot the newly acquired territory to her own 
citizens and to establisli a village near the site of Waterfield, hence our second 
name " Charlestown Village." 

6 



6 

Nov. 4, 1(j40, a eomniittee of thirteen was ehoseii liy the town to " set the 
hounds between Charlestown and the village and to appoint a plare for the village." 
It seems that the committee did not agree in their decision, as the W(il>urn Eecords 
subsequently state that "it was in part assented to and part den3"ed." It appears 
also, that after securing tlie grant of new land a i)roject developed among the 
leaders of the Charlestown church to establish a new church and a new town. Hence 
on Nov. 4, the church (not the inhabitants) of Charlestown, of which Rev. Zachariah 
Symmes, the ancestor of the Symmes family in Winchester, was pastor, chose a 
committee of seven. Edward Converse, Edward Johnson, Ezekiel Richardson, .Joliii 
Mousall, Thomas Graves, Samuel Richardson, and Thomas Ricliardson as com- 
missioners for the erection of a new clmrch and town, whei-e a " village " had 
been originally designed within the limits of Charlestown. (Charlestown Records.) 
In the colonial days the authority of the Puritan church was equal, if not superior, 
to the civil authority; thus it was through the instrumentality of the church, not the 
town, of Charlestown that our territor}-, first Waterfield, then Charlestown Village, 
was tinally annexed to W(il>urn in 1G42. Tliough the church appointeil tlie conunis- 
sioners above referred to, yet when a large number' came forward to join tlie new 
town, the church became afraid that Charlestown would become "depopulated." 
She therefore discountenanced the enterprise and watched all who were in favor of it 
with a "jealous eye." Subsequently the commissioners seem to have overcome the 
oppositioii of tlie church or to have out-voted the opponents of the new departure, 
as at a church meeting held Dec. 3, 1040, it was voted "full power is given to 
Edward Converse and Company to go on witli the work." 

It does not appear that the town government opposed the church commissioners, 
though the General Court did not incorporate Woburn into a sej^arate town till Oct. 
6, 1G42. The act is a model of brevity : " Charlestowne Village is called Wooburne." 
(Massachusetts Cohjny Records, Vol. II.) Notwithstanding the [jassing of this act, 
the bounds between tlie two towns were not definitely fixed till Dec. 16, 1650, when 
Charlestown tardily acceded to the repeated solicitations of AVoburn, and a joint 
committee settled the bounds. This dilatory action of Charlestown seemed to show 
they were not anxious to divide their town, and explains descriptions of some of the 
Charlestown farms: "Situate in AVolninic in Cliarlesti)wne bounds." (Page 27, 
Charlestowne Rook of Possessions ; -Tohn (ireen. Recorder, 1645.) 

The southerly line of Woliurn as laid out by tlie joint committee followed the 
present line of our Church St., from Cambridge St. to the High School house, thence 
in a straight line to near the Black Horse Tavern into the " Common," or woods. 
The record reads as follows : " This first wee agree upon : That the Line of devision 
bettweene the two Towncs shall runne from Cambridge Line by ye Northwest end of 

bettweeiie Mr. Sims's. Ffarme and Edward 



Convere's Ffarniu uiitill it come to the East side uf tliL-in adjoyiieiiig to C'liark'stowiie 
Common." 

From this description it can l)e seen that much of the present tei'ritory of 
Winchester, excluding all south of Kangcly and Black Horse Hill, was a part of 
Wol)uru from tliis date until lS50, and the union was most happ}- and prosperous. 

Having traced the transfer of our territory fi'om ancient Charlestown to 
Woburn, let lis consider the state of the country about the time of the transfer. 
Think, for a moment, that in 1635-40 this territory was considered l)y the people 
of the sea-coast settlements as a " remote land," with whicli they were little 
acipiainted, and peopled in their imagination with wild l)easts and possil)ly still 
wilder men. In reality it was a scraggy wilderness, difficidt of penetration. 
Edward Johnson, one of the early explorers, saj^s in Ins contemporary description of 
it, tliat it was a " watery swamjj " difficult to travel tlu'ough, the country being 
covered with an " unknown woods." Sometimes the explorers in their work passed 
through thickets where their hands were forced to make way for the passage of their 
bodies, at times their feet clambering over the crossed trees that had fallen, on 
which, if they missed their foothold, down their feet sank into an uncertain bottom 
of water, where they would wade up to their knees, tumbling, sometimes higher and 
sometimes lower, till wearied with tliis toil they would seek a place of rest. l)ut 
instead thereof, as the end of this trial came near, they would meet with a scorching 
plain, where their difficulties Avere increased, the ragged bushes there scratching the 
legs of the adventurers foully, even wearing the stockings on the limits of the men 
through to the bare skin in the space of a short time, and if not otherwise well 
defended with boots or buskins, their flesh would be torn; some not amply well 
provided with such guards have had the blood trickle down at every step. On 
the plain, besides, the sun cast at that time such a reflecting heat from such 
plants as the sweet fern, whose scent was very strong, that some of the party from 
that cause were near fainting, being unaljle to bear the odor which so severely 
0[ipressed them, though, in other respects, they had " very alile bodies to endure 
mucli travel." Furthei', the}^ were ignorant of their path, and were at times out of 
sight of the sun, and were bewildered too by their compass miscarrying in crowding- 
through the bushes. The Indians, fortunately- were not so formidable in tills section 
as their imagination pictured. At this early period the white settlers were some- 
times obliged to Ijurrow themselves in the earth under some hillside for their first 
shelter. To improve this habitation tliey wovdd cast the earth aloft upon timber, 
and the sliort showers were warded off from the summit of their lodgings, but the 
long rains penetrated througli. Joluison says the people were cheerful in these 
humble habitations. " Every one who could lift a hoe to strike it into the earth 
aided in raising the first crop: l)ut they had to stand stoutlv to tlicir lalxu's and tear 



8 

up the roots and bushes which abounded, the fii-st year bearing them in useful 
vegetables a veiy thin crop,"' — so thin, indeed, " that they were forced to cut their 
bread very thin for a long season." As a help they lived upon fish Mhich abounded 
in the streams : and they were helped much by raising Indian corn, which they 
prepared after the manner of the Indians. As for meat tliey '• looked not for any in 
those times ; " unless they could barter with the Indians for venison or raccoons, 
whose flesh was considered not much inferior to lamb. One thing they had learned, 
in the words of Johnson, that the '• toil of a new [)lantation " was " like the labors of 
Hercules, never at an end." 

The first record we liave relating especially to tliis unexploi'cd country was 
in 16.35, wlien " Edward Converse, William Brackenburj-, and Mr. Abraham Palmer 
were desired to go up into the country upon discovery three or four days, for 
wliich they were to be satisfied at the charge of the town." (Charlestown Records.) 
Edward Converse, the staunch Puritan, was the leader in this and subsequent explor- 
ations. He was one of Winthrop's comi^any and an inhabitant of Charlestown as 
early as 1(330, and one of the selectmen from 1635 to 1640. He establislied the first 
ferry between Charlestown and Boston on the site of the present Charles River Bridge, 
paying ^40 per year rental to the Colony for the franchise. He might be called the 
father of Winchester, as, in 1640, he built and occupied the first house, on the site of 
the present Thompson estate next to the Post Office. He also establislied the fii-st 
"cornne mill" on the site of the present Whitney mills previous to 1649, probably in 
1641. This was the first business esbil)lislunent in Wincliester. At Woburn he was 
a selectman for 19 years, from 1644, when the first town officers were chosen. He 
was a deacon in the cluu'ch from 1642 till liis deatli in 1(563, and represented the 
town at the General Com-t. For manj- years he was one of three commissioners " for 
ending small causes." (Trial justice.) All tlie facts show that Converse was from 
Ids arrival on the shores of Massachusetts an influential man in all enterprises which 
favored the extension and good government of the firet settlements. 

An interesting episode in the life of Edward Converse, displaying liis indepen- 
dent and patriotic character, was his arrest for refusal to promulgate the King's letter 
in 1662. This missive asserted the King's sirpreme authority over the colonies, cur- 
tailing the liberties wliich the early settlers had hitherto enjoyed unmolested. Edward 
Converse was one of the most outspoken of the patriots and denounced the letter as 
an embodiment of Popery. He was sumiiioued before the General Court in 1663 but 
was acquitted, as that body was composed of delegates fully sympathizing Avitli the 
same views but not so outspoken. 

We have seen that the peninsula which was called by the Indians, INIisliawum — 
an eminently descriptive cognomen in their dialect — and which is known to us 
to-day as " Charlestown," was the site of the original settlement of that municipality. 



To tins iiiirknis, tracts of temtorv in tlie interior were added, till the area of many 
present tnw us was covered, the name and jiiiisdiction of Charlestown overshadowing 
all. r>ut till' process of disintegi'ation soon Iienan. The old town of Woliurn was 
the tirst to he set oiT in 11142. C'liailestowii. at Icnuth slimii nl' ihis and other 
external territory, has shrunken aoain to less than her original limits, and in the 
course of time has even lost her name, sinking her ancient dignity and ichuitity in 
that of her still younger sister city and neiglil)or — Boston. 







Kl)WAI!r> I'ONVEItSE HOUSE, ERECTED 1G40. 



Posterity owes a great debt to the perseverance of the tirst seceders from 
Charlestown, especially to Edward Converse, the tirst settler in Watertield. Tiie 
silence and solitude of tliis forest home nnist have afforded a great contrast to iiim 
from the surroundings he had enjoyed in England, and those he liad just left behind 
in the compact and comparatively active village of Charlestown. Gradually, however, 
the wilderness jjecame a fertile land. The wild beasts wei'e scattered, and plenty and 
comfort abounded. 

Let us now consider the natural features of Waterfield, and the localities well 
known to the early settlers. These were Mistick Pond, Spot Pond, Horn Pond, 



10 • 

Horn Pond River, Horn Pond Mountain, the Aberjona River, Rag Rock, and Cheese 
Rock, all of which are now known by the same names, and appear on very early maps, 
even before tlie settlement of Woburn. And so appear Winter Pond, and Wedge Pond, 
but not so distinctly defined. Mistick Pond in early times was considered to be 
sixty fathoms (360 feet) deep, and its neighbor. Fresh Pond, in Cambridge, to be 
forty fathoms deep. How much this depth may be overstated, those who manage the 
municipal water-Avorks at those places best know. The fathers evidently believed 
them to 1)0 [)onds of very deep water, and at that time they were stocked with 
myriads of fish, and people came long distances from Charlestown, Boston, and 
Cambridge, to catch them for food, and for manure for their lands. 

The highway from Woburn to Mistick Bridge (Medford) passed through the 
centre of the present town of Winchester, and there is extant a report of the laying 
out of this way in 1660. It had, however, existed as a highway as early even as 
1646, and evidently as early as the builcUng of the first house ujjou it in 1640. It 
was described in part as the highway fi-om " Woburn meeting-house " to " Edward 
Converse's mill," and the " parting of the ways of the Converses and Richardsons, to 
their now dwelling-houses " is mentioned. Through Winchester it ran " along upon 
a brow " until it came to a bridge "made at a place called Half-Way Swamp." The 
bounds were " marked trees " on one or both sides, or in the middle of the way. 
The " mill-pond " and"corne mill" of Edward Converse are mentioned in connection 
with this highway, also an " enclosure " belonging to him, and liis " old orchard " 
and the " mill-dam." The whole way was practically a forest path. 

Let us now refer to the Woburn Town Records for some of the facts referring 
to the work of the early settlers. These records are dated 1640, although it 
has been seen that Wolmrn was not incorporated until 1642, the first town oiScers 
chosen in 1644, and the bounds established in 1650. It is now believed by the best 
authorities that these early records are made up of original, pri\ate memoranda 
of events, written by Edward Johnson, the first town clerk of Woburn (1644) 
and transferred to the town books at a later date. It will be noticed that they 
are written in the past tense, not the present. They are certainly the most 
complete and interesting i-eeord of early local histor}-, [)Ossessed by any city or 
town. Winchester should gladly contribute her proportionate sliare, to preserve and 
pulilish these records. 

On February 10, 1640 (O. S.), "The first bridge was laid over the Aberjona 
River over against Edward Convers' house, and called Could Bridg." The site 
of this bridge was at the jiresent centre of Winchester, on the spot where the 
bridge now stands, near Whitney's Mill Dam. It was called Cold Bridge, probably 
because it was made in mid-winter, during severe weather. This spot was also 
called below the bridge " The King's Ford." A few days later forty persons came 



11 

from Charlestown to the place where the village was to be located. These persons 
spent their time in marking trees and laying bridges, say the records, but the diffi- 
culties before them appeared so great and " the way being so plain backward, that 
divers never went forward again ! " 

It is further recorded "On the 25 of 6 mo. 1641. Things going hea\aly 
on and many Blocks in the way especially sum of their own company disheartening, 
this day ^^•as sett apart for humble seeking the Lord b}' fasting and prayer whom 
the}' found gratious in keeping upp the spirits of sum to the work." By the next 
entry (the next day) it seems that those whose " spii'its " were kept " up to the 
work " engaged in an arduous undertaking : " 26 of 6 mo. 1641 : A Bridg was 
made across Horn Pond River ; though the place was soe boggy it swallowed 
up much wood liefore it could be made pasable, yet it was finished and called 
Longe Bridg." The location of this bridge was, beyond doubt, on the ancient 
Jiighway from Woburn to the Converse Mill, in the rear of the present house of 
Ml'. Sullivan Cutter, in Winchester. This is proved beyond controversy by the 
results of recent research, by Mr. Arthur E. Whitney, Mr. W. R. Cutter, and 
othei-s. (See Winchester Record, Vol. II., No. 3.) 

Later than the date last mentioned (1652), Edward Johnson, tlie author of 
" The Wonder Working Providence," writes that " the situation of the town of 
Woburn was in the highest part of the yet peopled land " and " full of pleasant 
sprmgs and a great variety of very good water." The abundance of water, he 
remarks, " the summer's heat causeth to be more cooler, and the winter's cold maketh 
more warmer." The meadows were not large, " but lie in divers places to particular 
dwellings ; " the same " doth their springs." There was no great quantity of "plain 
laud" in any one place, and the land was verj^ fruitful in many places, and the 
rocks and swamps yielded " very good food for cattle." The people, says Johnson, 
were " very laborious — if not exceeding, — some of them." 

Not much is known about the building of the first house. It was built during 
tlie j'ear 1640, and on January 4. 1640 (O. S.), a meeting of the settlers was held 
in it. Its location was near the site of the house of the late Deacon Benjamin 
F. Thompson on Main Street, Winchester. It was on the easterly side of the road, 
and between the road and the river. His mill was on the opposite side of the road, 
now Whitney's mill. In 1702 this house was overshadowed by a large and shady 
elm, standing on the same side of the road with the house, and immediately 
in front of it, as is common with ancestral shade-trees. The tree was cut down 
about 1841. Sewall speaks of this tree in his diary (1702). After the Converse 
occupation of this house for several generations, Abel Richardson, in 1774, became 
the owner of it, probably the same house built, owned, and occupied by the original 
Edward Converse. Abel Richardson, a soldier of the French and Revolutionary 



12 

wars, died liere at great age. in 1831. and in a few years his estate was sf)ld. There 
is a description extant of tliis house as it appeared in 1798. and a picture of tlii' 
same accompanies this sketcli. It was thirty-fi^e feet by thirt}- ; area 1,050 sc^uare 
feet. There were nineteen winchiws and one luui(h-ed and fifty-five square feet of 
glass. The liouse was two stories in front and one in tlie rear. Witli tlic land 
only on which it stood, it was valued at six hundred and fifty dollars. The other 
buildings connected with the estate were an old wood-house, a chaise-house, a barn, 
and a grist-mill. By 1841 the old house had disappeared, and it nuist, therefore, 
liave stood about two hundred years. 

After the Boston and Lowell railroad \\as ojiened through South Woburn, now 
Winchester, in 1835, a village soon grew up. The inhabitants were mainly farmers, 
and tliere were a few milis on the larger streams. In 1850 the village was incorpo- 
rated as the town of Winchester ; and from that time the growtli lias Ijeen constant, 
owing to favorable railroad facilities and superior natural attractions ; and to-day it 
is widely known for its fine residences, its cultured and wealthy citizens, and the ele- 
vating influence of its institutions. 

A few other matters wliich have a particular relation to Winchester territory are 
here alluded to, as of especial interest on tliis occasion. 

There is in the first volume id' the Wobni'u town records a description of estates 
near the centre of Winchester, of date, 1692 to 1(599. Tliese lauds belonged to the 
Converses and there is a description of other lands located in this part of Wolnu-n of 
date also as early as the year 1673. We are unable to particularize here : but the 
himiliar names of Horn Pond Hill, Horn I'ond. Winter Pond, Wedge Pond, the 
Aberjona River, Blind Bridge, and Indian Hill are there mentioned. Watertield, 
Rockfield, Cold Bridge, I^ong Bridge, and Elbow Hill have not retained their original 
names. Would it not be well to revive some of these in the future naming of public 
places ? Blind Bridge, fiivst named Long Bridge, had a greater vitality as a name 
than some of the above mentioned, and is familiar to tlie oldest citizens. Pidgc Hill 
(near the site of the Unitarian Church) was the evident successor of Klbow Hill, and 
is renienil)ered l)y persons now living, though the lieight itself has ])een levelled. 
Indian Hill, now Andrews' Hill, is mentioned in a deed of 1650. and this name 
appears in Edward Converse's inventory of 1663. Our "common" is mentioned in 
Edward Converse's will, 1659, and he expi-esses therein a wish for its continuance as 
such. Ridge tlill is mentioned in tlie inventory of a descendant of Edward Converse 
in 1767, and Wedge Pond Hill is another name connnon at this time. 

Tlie celebrated reservation for the Indians was situated on the westei'u shore 
of Mystic Pond, wliere the remnants of the tribes could plant and Iiunt without 
molestation ; the weii' above the jionds (nearly opposite tlie Everett estate) being 
reserved for the Indians to fisji at while their queen lived. She died about 1662, 



IS 

ilniw iiiiii;' lirrscll', it is saiil, in lliu watiTs (if a hrook, tslill licariii'^' liu- naiiic, ■• Indian 
Hrook," wliicli llows into Mystiu Pond a few rods from tlic pruscnt Winchester 
and Arlinsjton line, near the Dwight estate. 

In Wineliester limits also were the farms of John Ilai-vard, tlie minister from 
whom Ilarsard College was named, and of Thomas (iraves, master of llie tirst 
ship built in Boston, and afterwards lear-adniiral under Cromwell. Here were the 
lots of the numerotLs and long-lived family of the Richardsons, of the Converses, 
Carters, Gardners, .lolui.sons, Symmes, Nowells, and others. The River is men- 
tioned in the early C'harlestown grants of ]l!88 ; it is called Tlie Aherjonn in lti41. 

In ItiTO, the tragic death of Sanuiel Converse, the son of Edward, occurred 
at the old Converse mill, from an injury caused by the water-wheel. (See 
Winchester Record. \'ol. II.. No. 1.) This Samuel Converse left one son, who 
was the ancestor of the Hon. Edward S. Converse, of Maiden, cons[iicuous for his 
noble and charitable deeds. 

Winchester also was the scene, on April 10, liiTii. during King Philip's war, 
of a triple murder perpetrated by Indians. A liand of Indians entered the house of 
Sanuiel Richardson (Washington Street, near Prince Avenue,), while he and his 
son wei'e at work in the fields, killed and scaljjed liis wife Hannah, and his son 
Thomas. The nurse seized the babe Hannah, and fled to the garrison house (near 
the j)resent Joseph Stone estate). To save her own life she dropped the babe, 
whom the Indians killed. The savages were [)ursued by JNIr. Richardson and a 
party of neighbors, and one was shot near a rock on the west side of the present 
Highland Reservoir : the rest were pursued to Lyinitield, but escaped the puni.sh- 
ment due them. 

Among the military heroes of the colonial period, living in the limits of Win- 
chester, were the following : — 

1. John Carter. Captain. Died 1(392, aged 7G. His house was on the site of 
the present Andrews estate. He ^\'as ensign of the train-I-.aud in Woburn, 1(1.51 to 
1661: lieutenant, 1664 to 1672; and captain of the Woburn Militar}- Company, 
from 1672 to 1692. Plis perio(l of office as conunandt'r of the Town IMilitary 
Company covered the period of King Philiji's War, 1675-76. In the General 
Court Records is this entry : " Upon a motion in behalf of Woburn Company, 
it is ordered, that Lieut. John Carter be ca])tain. William Johnson, lieutenant: and 
James Converse, ensign; to the foot company tiiere " — 1672. The officers tlius 
named were all Winchester residents. 

2. William Johnson, Major. Died 1704, aged 74. Ensign of the Wnlmin 
Military Company. 1664 to 1672; lieutenant, 1672 to 1(388: captain. 1(;90 to Iti'.H ; 
major, 1692 to 1704. He was one of the court of assistants of the coh)ny, and no 
citizen of the town in his time attained to liigher civic ol'lice. On the night of 



14 

August 23, 1605, he was in active seiviee with three hundred men under arms, at 
Billerica, in an endeavor to discover a bodv of the Indians in force : the savao-e 
enemy having- killed and cai)tured some iifteen persons at Billerica several days 
before. He lived at the West Side near the Luke Reed estate. 

3. James Converse, Lieutenant. Died 1715, aged 95, — the last survivor of 
the signers of the Woburn town orders of 1(540. He was a sergeant, 1658 to 1672 ; 
ensign, 1672 to 1688 ; and lieutenant, his highest military office, 1688 to 1715. 
He lived and died in a house built by Edward Converse, his father, on the site of 
tlie present Dodge House on Church Street. 

4. .Tames Converse, — son of the preceding, — Major. Died 1706, aged 61. 
Sergeant, 1674 to 1687 ; ensign, 1689; captain, 1689 to 1692; major, 1693 to 1706 ; 
he was a captain in the public service for three years in the war against the Eastern 
Lidians in New Hami^shire and Maine. With a very small force he defended Storer's 
Garrison at Wells, with slight loss, against a nuich superior force of French and 
Indians, withstanding a siege of several days. This memorable action occurred in 
1692. Cotton Mather innnortalized it in his great history of New England, and 
Converse, for his gallant conduct and bravery, was made a major in 1698. He was 
associated at one time in his Eastern career with the celebrated Colonel Benjamin 
Church, and succeeded Church as commander of the Massachusetts forces in Maine, 
operating against the Indians and French. His house was the one occupied by his 
father, before referred to. He married the daughter of Capt. Jolni Carter. 

5. Samuel Converse, Sergeant, 1669. Accidentallv killed at his father's mill 
1669-70. 

A few interesting military events of the period are as follows: In 1691, the 
selectmen of Woburn ap])ointed " Lieut. James Converse and Sergt. Matthew 
Johnson to seek out to procure a supply of ammunition, according to law. for the 
town." This was in response to an order from the higher powers, and a desire to 
avoid the imputation of negligence, — for in 1680, the town, failing to observe 
strictly the law regarding amnuinition, had been fined, and this fine was remitted 
on the petition of Lieut. Willi;ua Johnson and James Converse, and the promise to 
be " more oljservant '" in the future. 

On Sept. 5, 1724, an engagement with the Inchans occurred at Dunstable, in 
which three Woburn men were killed. One of these certainly was a Winchester 
resident : — Benjamin Carter, who, accoi'ding to the inscription on his old gravestone 
at Dunstable, was " aged 23 years." The English wt've Ijeaten in this attack, and 
it is related that the men of Carter's family, when they heard of the maimer 
of his deatli, cast contenn)tuous phrases upon it, saying, " they would not be 
such bo3^s as to be killed by the Indians!" It is also related that the last seen of 
Benjamin Carter, l)y his family, when he set out on this fatal expedition, was when 



15 

he rode down Indian, now Andrews' Hill, being mounted on liorsobaek, tlu'ough 
the crooked path near the jnnction of Camhridge and Cliurcli Streets. His father 
was Lieut. John Carter, son of Capt. John Carter. 

Some of the military men of this locality, l)efore tlie American Revolution, 
were Josiali Converse, captain, 1706 to 1717 ; Rol)ert Converse, captain, 1726 to 
1736 ; Samuel Carter, captain of cavalry, conmnssioned 1741 (died 1787, aged 92 
years); Sanuiel Belknap, Senior, captain and lieutenant, 1748 to 1752; Jabez 
Carter, captain and lieutenant, 1748 to 1771 ; Ebenezer Converse, captain and lieu- 
tenant, 1753 to 1764; John Carter, lieutenant, 1700 to 1727; WiUiam Belknap, 
lieutenant, 1762 to 1767; Josiah Converse, ensign, 1714 to 1726 (died 1748); 
Daniel Reed, ensign, 1747 to 1755. 

Samuel Belknap, a captain and patriot of the Revolution, lived on the present 
James RiLssell estate. Bill Russell, a Revolutionary pensioner, was a lieutenant- 
colonel of cavalry in the militia of 1807. Samuel B. White was a lieutenant-colonel 
of militia in 1839. Francis Johnson was a major of militia in 1807. We have not 
the space to enumerate privates or ofificers of a lower rank. 

Much more could he written concerning the early history of Winchester, did 
space admit, but some idea of the inn)ortanee and ancient character of the hostehy 
known as the Black Horse Tavern, should be mentioned. Tiiis liouse at one time 
gave a name to the village, — it being called Black Horse Village. As long ago as 
the year 1761, Giles Alexander sohl it to Noah Wyman, it having been licensed 
before that time for an inn or tavern, and Wyman continued to keep it. Noah Rich- 
ardson owned and kept it in 1774. During the Revolution it was an im[)ortant 
rendezvous for the jiatriots. It \\as also at that time on an important stage route 
from Boston to Portsmouth. In 1792 it was described as on the uj)per route to 
Casco Bay in Maine. In 1813, the high-sounding name of the route from '' Boston 
to Montreal " was ajiplied to tliis road, and in the following year the route ''to 
Montreal and Quebec ! " 

In 1814, on a Sunday evening, Stephen S^an retiu'ued home from Dorchester 
Heights with the company of light infantry of wliich he was a member, whii'h put up 
at Black Horse Tavern. The company liad been absent on that service seven weeks, 
guarding the heights on account of the war. Soon afterward, the great and impor- 
tant news of iieace was received at this tavern, travelling to Boston from New York 
in 32 hours, — 242 miles ! Slower times than these ! ! 

From 1834 to 1836 Winchester, near the crossing of the Boston and Lowell 
Railroad at Main Street — ancient as the first settlement of the region — was called the 
" Woburn Gates," because gates were closed when trains were passing. The original 
scheme of the railway connecting Boston and Lowell did not contemplate any provi- 
sion for business at this place, and no depot was built. Passengers had to walk to 



16 

Walnut Hill and pay *1 faiv U> IJciston. The Luilding Hrst used as a statimi was a 
small shoemaker's shdji, aliout lU by 15, -« hieli answered every pui-pose, till the inerease 
of the village rendered a larger building necessary. This depot was op[i(isite Lyceum 
Hall : a second and third buikling were erected here, each hu'ger than its predecessor. 
In 1872, after bitter opposition, the depot site was fixed at the present location. For 
two years after the opening of the railroad, few changes were observed. But there 
was a man whose eagle eye saw the advantages of Soutli Woburn for business and 
the probability of the founding of a new town. This was Samuel Steele Richardson, 
a large manufacturer of shoes in Woburn, and tlien considered a rich man. 

He was born in Woburn, July 19, 180(i, son of Calvin and Sarah. Tlie family 
were residents of Richardson's Row, now embraced in Winchester. He was active in 
^^'hatever he undertook. His manner Avas inspiring, and he gave life and vigor to all 
his undertakings. He possessed some peculiarities. For instance: "From Portland 
to New Orleans he would travel often in advance of railroads and steamboats, with 
his coat under his arm, a shoe in his hand, and a change of linen in his pocket ; never 
waiting for anyone, yet always behind in starting. Once, on tiie Mississippi River, 
he was left at Memphis, but before the boat got to the next landuig he was tliere, ready 
to s[)ring aboard on its arrival.'' He was a man, writes one who well knew him, 
••propelled by a mind intensely nervous and surpassingly active." When he went 
to South Woburn in 1836, it was ••a small place with a blacksmitii and wheelwright 
shop, and a little grocery store ; Cutter's mill was grinding corn and beginning to 
saw maliogany. The old Abel Richardson mill was topiding over with age, the 
roof falling in, and the millstones sunk in the stream lielow. Tlie cars had ])een riui- 
ning two years." (Sketch of S. S. Ricliardson. by Natiianicl A. Richardson, in ^^'(lb^u■ll 
Journal, Dec. 17, 1886.) 

He obtained [)Ossession of the ancient Converse mill site, and nf a large tract of 
land adjoining it, and repaired or entirely rcl)uilt the old mill and built several 
dwelling-houses, and a shoe factory, where the Lyceum Hall afterwards stood. He 
also purchased the Black Horse tavern and farm. 

In 18o7, however, having speculated in eastern lands too extensively, lie became 
linancially embarrassed, and the interests of the nc-w village suffered. His place, 
however, was taken by a man of still greater linancial ability, and one of the most 
efficient promoters of the future prosperity and distinctive cliaracter of Winchester. 
This was Benjamin F. Thompson, brother of the well-known General Abijah Thomp- 
son of Woburn, A\ho had lived at the Centre. Like his brotlier he liad begun busi- 
ness in a small way, removing to the South village in 1837 or l8o8, to the old 
Converse mill. After a time he pui'chased land and built a tannery, now Philip 
Waldmyer's. In the older village at the Centre he had been a well-established in- 
fluence for good. His garden in Wubnrn was a special attraction of the town. His 



17 

[)crs(iii and ^^ul rdiiniling's wvw (lisliiigiu.slR'd liy a rclineil ami iMiIli\alcil lastc. (Ii-iiot- 
iiig attentidii t(i the proprieties of a tliouglitt'ul ami (liscriiiiiiiatiiiL;' lialiil ol' litV, ami 
ill all his business relations and traiisaetions, there was a eorri'Sponding eorreetness. 
His word was considered by all who knew him. as good as his bond. Such was the 
man who now joined his fortunes with the village of Soutii Wnluiiii. and latterly of 
the town of Winehester. 

The late Oliver R. Clark says of the period of 1836 to 1838, that there wa.s 
but little busiiie.ss at that time in Winchester. The streets were likewi.se few. 
Main Street, or the great road from Woburn to Medford, was then very much as 
it now is. The houses also were not numerous, and in his article he attempts a 
description of them and of the establishments for l)usiness, the prinei[)al one being 
the old mahogany-mill, of the Messrs. Cutter. The original mill was burned in 
1841, and immediately re-built, and an important business begun. The "Gates" 
were ponderous affairs to protect travellers from danger at the railroad crossing 
on Main Street, and were swung niieii and closed by the bystanders. At that 
time it was not uncommon for p)ersons to travel miles to see the steam monster, as 
people then called the locomotive. The trains, however, were few and far between, 
the engines small, and the cars much like the old-fashioned stage-coaches, with 
the doors on the sides. The engineer Avas not protected, as now, by a cab. and 
the conductor and brakeinan rode on the top fif the cars. The s[)eed of these 
trains, according to the statement of the late Eli Cooper, one of the earliest 
locomotive engineers on this road, was considerable, jjerhaps as great as many 
of the trains now. The proceedings on stopping at stations were those of the 
most approved English fashion of that date. They are described quite minutely in 
the Winchester Record, Vol. I., Page 57, by Mr. Abijah Thompson. The early depot- 
masters were .lohn Robinson, shoemaker; John Donalioe, the first to make the 
position a regular business; and Captain Nathan .hujuith. Captain .Ja(|uith 
combined the duties of depot-master, baggage-master, and gate-tender in one 
office. He was active and energetic, and besides this, started the livery business 
in the village. He died Fel). 16, 1875, at the advanced age of ninety-three years, 
ten months, and sixteen days. 

A very interesting picture of the centre of South Woburn village in 1840 is 
given in a view from a painting by Dr. R. U. Piper, a copy of which is presented in 
the ^^'inchester Record, Vol. I., Page 59. 

The village wdiich had thus sprung up "•just eight miles from Boston," by 
railroad, was given a still more positive character as an independent community 
by the formation of a church pari.sli in 1840. A house of worship was dedicated 
Dec. 30, 1840, and was altered and enlarged in 1852, and destroyed by lire on 
]\iarch 20, 1853 ; and its successor was dedicated Oct. 11, 1854. lieing erected near 



18 

the site of tlie former. Behind this edifice, in 1844, the parish established 
a small bmying-ground. This Avas afterwards given np, and on April 7, 1851, 
the town voted to choose a committee to purcluise a lot for a cemetery, whicli was 
named Wikh\ood Cemetery. 

On the site of the ancient Converse mill ptucliased by S. S. Richardson, a new 
one was built in 1838-39. In this latter structure quite a variety of business was 
carried on : sash and blind making by Leonard Gilson and others ; veneer sawing by 
Harrison Parker in 1843. Tliis builchng was burned Jan. 18, 1845, and soon rebuilt. 
In the building burned, Amos Whittemorc Ijuilt one of the first machines invented 
for pegging shoes. It was his invention, and attracted much attention when new. 
Joel Whitney occupied the first floor at this time, having removed from South 
Reading in 1844. This mill was owned for many years by Harrison Parker. 

Further along on the same street, near the junction of Washington and Main 
Streets, was the blacksmith sliop of Major Francis Johnson and Nathan B. Johnson. 
It was one of the most famous sliojis of the region, and nuicli A\'ork was done in it 
for the Boston and Lowell railroad. In tlie evenings in winter, the glowing fires 
were seen in full blast, and the air of enterprise about the place was inspiring and in- 
vigorating. The antiquity of this stand can be traced into the former century, when 
horses were sliod liere belonging to the ancient stage-coaches. At Symmes Corner 
were blacksmith and A\lieelwright shops, where considerable business was cariied on 
by Marsliall and John S}'nimes. 

The act to incorporate the town of Winchester in the year 1850, is plioto- 
graphed, and a copy is presented in the Winchester Record, Vol. I., Page 41. The 
new to\\'n was taken from Woburn, Medford, and West Cambridge (now ArUng- 
ton). Tlie line given between Woburn and Winchester, was half way between the 
south side of Woburn Common and tlie dei>ot at South Woljurn. The act was 
passed Ajiril 30, 1850. The se[>aration of this town from the older towns was not 
made witliout very vigorous remonstrances on the part of those whose territory was 
affected. Measures for a separation were first taken by inhabitants of the section to 
be set off, in Deceniljer, 1849. The first meeting was held on Dec. 17. Benjamin 
F. Thompson and John A. BoUes, and other well-known citizens, were prominent in 
the project. A second meeting was held Dec. 24, when the fii'st representative from 
Winchester, Frederick O. Prince, took active part in the proceedings. At this 
meeting the following names for the ncAv town were proposed: Appleton, Avon, 
Channing, Waterville, Winchester, and Winthrop. The name of Winchester was 
decided upon in honor of Col. Wm. P. Winchester. 

The petition for incorporation was presented to the legislature on Jan. 19, 1850, 
and the request Avas granted on its fij'st application. Hon. Albert H. Nelson of 
Woburn was engaged as counsel for the i)etitioners, and liLs services and influence 



19 

were valuable. " No money was used by either side to gain influence, not a dollar 
for lobby or a supper ; " and when the legislative committee visited Winchester to 
examine tlie ground, they were given a very plain collation, not in a spirit of i^arsi- 
mony, but in accordance with the requirements of the occasion ; indeed, had a more 
expensive entertainment Ijeen presented, tlie cause would undoul)tedly have received 
injury. Tlie citizens paid their counsel two hundred and fifty dollars, and Mr. 
LJolles, for liis legal work, fifty dollars, also all the necessary expenses, the town com- 
mittee making no charge for their services. 

The town of Winchester was started clear of debt. Her motto was " Economy 
and prompt payment,'" and her leading town ofiicers for the first year made no charge 
for tlieir services, and the service was itself of the best. 

The choice of the name of Winchester was fortunate in one respect, that it 
brought a welcome gift of three thousand dollars to be used in the erection of 
a Town Hall, or any other proper object of municipal expenditure. Colonel 
Winchester was informed that the name was gi^■en to the town, at the request of 
its inhabitants, out of compliment to liiui, and he, not being content with a mere 
verltal expression of his appreciation, begged leave to present to the new town the 
sum stated for the purposes before mentioned. The letter was dated at Boston, 
May 25, 1850. 

Colonel Winchester died August 0, 1850, at the early age of forty-nine years, 
at his residence in Watertown. He was an accomplished scholar in the French, 
Sjianish, and Italian languages. The money }iresented l)y Colonel Winchester was 
first expended on the piu'chase of Wildwood Cemetery. The Winchester fund was 
returned to the town treasur}' in 1885. Recently a part was transferred to the 
Town Hall account to purchase a clock, bell, and other furnishings for that buikUng. 
On the bell in the tower an inscription is cast : " This clock and bell commemorate 
the gift of William P. Winchester to the town which bears his name." 

Wuichester had one advantage when incorporated : she was a new town, and 
could avail herself of the experience of many geneiations, and avoid the errors of 
older nuuiicipalities and sha2>e her institutions after a more perfect pattern. Great 
attention was paid to schools and the town expenditure was principall}' for this 
object. At the outset she had no expensive public buildings to erect, and the 
fund contributed by Col. Winchester aided in the pm-chase of land for a cemetery. 
.The school committee had charge of all the schools and sclinolhouses, — there were 
no school districts, and no district or prudential committees, — and one common 
and uniform sjstem of administration was applied to every school and school 
division. This arrangement was at that time an improvement on the methods in 
other towns, though common enough now. From the first year of her corporate 
existence there was a High School kept, in which the to^^'n had commendable 



■2H 

priilc, altli(niL;li tlic muiiher of families did not re(|uin' tiir iiiaiiitciiaiicL' (if such a 
scliool. Slie was then the smallest tciwii in the State that sustained a Ilio'h Sdioul. 
When the whole of her population wa.s l)ut eighteen iiundred and one, and her 
valuation but half a. million dollars, lier standing among the towns and eities of 
Massachusetts, in the eomparative amount of money expended for edueation, was in 
one year, the second. 

In the civil war of l<St>l to 18tio, the town furnished 244 men, at a pecuniary 
cost of nearly thirty thousand dollars; this amount was raised hy hiring money 
for a term of years, by taxation, and hy suliscription : the town officers and others 
giving their .services and expenses. The number of men who died in the service 
was ten. In lier quota were five persons bearing the raidv of major — one on the 
staff, two of the commissary, and one of the medical department, and one in 
the line — including the well-known names of I'xilles. Norton, lUchardson, Ingalls, 
and Prince. Seven bore the title of captain, four in the line, one iu the navy, one 
paymaster in the navy, and one acting-master iu the navy ; including the names of 
Bacon, two Richardsons, Williams, Spicer, Weld, and Ford. The last two lost 
their lives in the service. There were also two lieutenants — Abrahams and 
Hartshorn — five minor medical ofiicei's, one acting assistant paymaster in the navy, 
and three sergeants, and two eorjiorals. A good, reconl for a town w hicli started in 
1850 with thirteen hundi-ed population, and two hundred and tifty voters. 

In 1873, the project of a public water supply for Winchester was agitated; 
the first report of the water counnissiouers appeared the following year. To the 
energetic perseverance and courage of the late David N. Skillings, one of the 
members of the first board, is largely due the adoption of an economical plan of 
a gravity supply, from impounding resei'voirs. When the system is completed, 
it will consist of two beautiful lakes, two hundred and twenty acres in area, at 
a level one hundred and thirty feet above the town, sui'i'oundcd liy rocky hills, in the 
heart of the Middlesex Fells, and free from all sources of contamination. When drive- 
ways ai'e built, as contem|)lated, along the shores and connected with the woodland 
drives around Spot Pond, Winchester can boast of a park system inferioi' to none. 

In 1887, the corner stone of the Town Hall and Libiary was laid, and the building- 
was completed in 1889. The hall lias a seating cajiacity of l.oUU. The town 
officers have suitable and pleasant accommodations. The Public Library, established 
in 1859, is located in a wing of the building, -well a,da[ited for its 2)urposes. Since, 
occupying its new rooms, the increase of books given out lias been thirty-two per cent. 

Winchester has always been noted for the devoted interest of lier citizens and 
officials in municipal affairs. Their public spirit has made her what she is and 
its continuance will ensure future increase in population, wealth, and culture. 



•21 




22 



Mi^foricat Tabled. 



The following- inscriptions mark historic sites in the town of Winchester at the 
celebration of 250tli anniversary of the first ^^•hite settlement : 

Site of First House. 

Built in 1G40 by Edward Converse, who was the leader of the first party sent out 
by Charlestowii to explore " Waterfield." Selectman 24 years; Deacon 19 j-ears ; 
arrested in \GCy2 for speaking disrespectfully of the King's Letter ; one of a committee 
to set the bounds between Charlestown and Woburn in 1650. 

Located ou Thompson Estate next Post office. 



First Meeting of Settlers. 

" 4 of 11 mo. 1640. Meeting in Edward Convars house in which many persons were 
admitted to set down their dwellings in this town, yet being shallow of lirains fell off after- 
wards." — Johnsoii's Records. 

Located next Post-Office. 



Site of Cold Bridge. 

" 10 of 12 mo. 1640. The first bridg was laid over the Aberjona River over against 
Edward Convars hous and called Could Bridg." — Johnsort's liecords. 
Located at bridge near Whitney's Mill Dam. 



Site of Long Bridge. 

" 26 of 6 mo. 1641. A bridg was made across Horn Pond River though the ])laco was 
soe boggy it swallowed uj> mucli wood before it could be made pasal)le, yet it was finished 
and called Longe Bridg." — Johnt'Oii's liecords. 

Located rear of Sullivan Cutter's house. 



Day of Fasting and Prayer before building Long Bridge. 

" 25 of 6 mo. 1641. Things going heavily on and many Blocks in the waye, 
especially sum of their own company dishartning, this day was set apart for humble 
seeking the Lord by fasting and prayer, whom tliey fotuid gratious in keeping upp the 
spirits of sum to the worke." — Johit.so/i's liecords. 



23 



Site of the " Convers Corne-Mill." 



Built previous to 1649, pro1);il)ly in 1(141. Alx'l nichardson Mill, 1774. 
Located at Whitney's Mill. 



Site of Major James Converse House, 1645-1706. 

A brave Indian fighter. Commander of Massachusetts troops in IVIaine, 1090 ; 
Dojnity to General Court 11 years; Speaker of the House 3 years; Selectman of 
Wohurn 4 years ; Town Clerk of Woburn 9 years. 

Located at Dodge Estate, Cliurcli Street. 



" The King's Ford." 

In 1641, the ford below this bridge was called tlie King's Ford. — Wlnclicsfer 
Hecord, Page 430. 

Located below bridge at AVhitney's Mill Dam. 



This Land set apart for a Common in 1659. 

" And for all that land that lyeth comon between the houses, my will is, that H xholl 

ly ciimon for ]ii'rjn:tt(.lti/r - J^dirard dnivcrse's iriN, 1659. 

(The " houses " referred to were situate<l on the present Thoraiison and Dodge Estates.) 
Located on the Winchester Common. 



Increase Nowell's Farm, 1638. 

Gov. Craddock's " assistant " in England, 1628 ; Gov. Wintlirop's " assistant " in Mass., 
1630; First Magistrate in Charlestown 1630 to 1655; Selectman of Charlestown 19 years. 
Located on Abijah Thompson Estate, Church St. 



Squa Sachem's Reservation 

"for the Indians to plant and hunt upon, and tlie weare above the ponds for tlie 
Indians to fish at." April 15, 1639. 

Located on Eilmnnd Dwight's Estate, Cambridge Street. 



Birthplace of Gov. John Brooks. 
Born, 175-2.— Died, 1825. 
Captain and colonel in the Revulutionary War, serving at Lexington, Bunker Hill, 
Wliite Plain.s, Valley Forge, Saratoga. Governor of Massachusetts 1816 to 1823. 
Located on Marshall Svnnues' Estate. 



24 

Indian Massacre During King Philip's War. 

Near this spot, April lOth, 167('>, Haniiali llic^hardson, wife of Samuel Richardson, and 
their two children, Thomas and Hannah, were killed and scalped by the Indians. The 
nurse with the babe Hannah, fled to the garrison house (near the present Jos. Stone 
estate), but was forced to drop the babe, or lose her own life. The Indians wei-e pursueil 
and one was killed near Highland Ixeservoir. 

LiKiiteil ou Wasliiiigton Street, near Prince Avenue. 



The Symmes Farm (About 300 acres). 

Granted to Rev. Zachariah Symmes, — first minister of Charlestown chunh, in l(i:J4. 
This portion of the farm still owned by his descendants. 
Located at Symmes' Corner. 



John Harvard's Land. 

In 1(538 this tract of land (aliout I'JO acres) was owned T)y .John Harvard, founder of 
Harvard University. — I'hiv of Mliti rt!(l<J hi/ (Tennjc Cixiki- mitl Genrc/e T. Liltlejuld, in 
Wi/i Chester Jieconl. 

Located at Winchester Higlilands. 



Squa Sachem's Wigwam. 

Site (if Sijua Sachem's Wigwam (the last " (^uccii <if .Mistick"), l(i:!9. — Friitlil)uiJiani''n 
History. 

Located near corner of Cliurcli and Caiiiliridt^c Sts. 



Black Horse Tavern. 

Landlords: ^17.50, Giles Alexander; lT(il, Xoah Wyman ; 1 774, Noah Richardson : 
a meeting-place for the patriots during the Revolution. 
Located on Black Hor.se Hill. 



Belknap's Fulling and Grist-Mills. 
First btiilt about 1700, at west end of Canal Street. 

Located at Cowdery, Cobb & Co.'s Mill. 



Church Street. 

This street called Driver's Lane in l(J4(i. 



25 



Site of Samuel Richardson's House. 

One of the first settlers, 1(J4U. 

Located on Washington Street, opposite Prince Avenue. 



Thomas Richardson's House. 



(4tli generation.) Erected about 1730. 

Located on Lutlier Ricluudsou liumesteiid. 



Site of Old Symmes Mill. 
Built about 1050. Bacon's Mills, 1820 to 1864. 

Located near Bacon'.s Bridge. 



Site of William Symmes Homestead and Dye-House. 

Built about 10.50. Justice of Peace under Gov. Andros. Died an "untimely death" 
in 1600. 

Located at Eaugely on Clmrcli Street. 



Abel Richardson's Farm. 
1773 to 1831. 

He owned the adjacent grist mill. Was a soldier in the old French war, 1758 to 
1760, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Lived to be fiinety-five years old. 
Located on Tliompson estate, next Post-Oflice. 



Site of Belknap Homestead. 

Captain Samuel Belknap lived here about 1750. A gallant soldier in the Revolution. 
The home of " AVitch iJelknaii." 

Located on James Russell's estate, Main Street. 



Site of Ezekiel Richardson's House. 



One of the first seven settlers, 1640. 
Located on N. A. Kicliardsun estate. 



26 

Site of Thomas Richardson's House. 

One of tlie first seven settlers. 

Located on estate of the late Samuel Richardson, Washington Street. 



Site of Richardson's Grist Mill, 1727. 
Cutter's Mill, 1811 to 1872. 
Located at Cutter Village. 



Site of Major William Johnson's House. 
Se,„<l ag.i,„. .,., ,„.,„„. „ „i„,,„. „„^, ,„, ,„^, ^.^,_,.^ ^, ^^^^ ^ 
Selectman, Town Clerk and Deputy. 

Located at Luke Reed Place, west side. 



Site of the Dean House, 1690. 



Kno^vn as the ^^atnb Tavern." „on,e of Wi,H.,„ ,„, Sann.e. Dean who served 
against the Indians. 

Located on Gen. John M. Corse Estate. 



Caleb Richardson's House. 

Jiuilt about 171U. 
Part of original grant to Ezekiel Richardson (1038). 
Located on estate of George G. Stratton. 



27 



Arbitration on Flowage Damage by the Converse Mill-Dam. 

1649. 

" Upon an Ai-l)itratii)n l)etwecn liolioit Hale ami Edward Converse, concerning 
meadow Land overfflowed by the JNlill of the said Edward, It is agreed By us whose names 
are underwritten, that tlie said Edward Converse shall pay for full satisfaction the same of 
seven pounds to the said Rohert llale and this in Current money or in oorne or in Cattle 
at a valluable consideration, provided notwithstanding that If any part of the said meadows 
be recovered out of the watter it shall be la^vfull for the said Robert Hale to repossese the 
same ; paying to the said Edward Converse twentie shillings an Acor for so much as he 
shall tiiink titt to make use of againe. And further If the whole shall be recovered, then 
the said Robt Hale shall Pay Backe Againe the wliole sunie of seven Pounds, and untell 
the money be repaid as above Expresse<l, it shall be used by the said Edward Converse. 

" Dated the Twentyeth of the twelfth mo 1049 

"The jiayment of the said sume of seven Pounds to be paj^d by Edward Converse to 
Robert hale shall be by the twentyeth of the ninth month next Insueing the date heare of 

" JOIIX MOUSALL 
EDWARD JOHNSON 
MILES NUTT 
JOHN WRIGHT 

SAMUEL RICHARDSON [mark] X 
JAMES THOMPSON [mark] T 

" This above wi'itten Is a true Copy of the Oridginall Writing Compared word for 
word this : Last day June 1(362. pr me 

"EDWARD BURT 

'■'Hecorder." 

Note. — Robert Hale lived in Cliarlestown, and was tlie anci'stor of Natlian Hale, cxeeutcd by the 
British in the War of the Revolution as a spy. He owned a meadow lot in " Wateilielil," as all the central 
part of Winehester was then called. 

From " T/ie Conrcrse ^fi!l." in Wuirhcster Iiccord. Vol. II., No. 1. 
Located at Whitney's Mill, iMaiu Street. 



28 

Tragedy at the Converse Mill, Feb. 21, 1669. 

Deposition of Witi/esxes. 

" We Isaac Brooks and James Thompson being about tlie 21 of Feb. 69 in the Corne mill 
belonging to the Converses, at Woobiirne, on of suddain we heard a voice about the mill 
wheel saying stop the wheel, upon wh. the said Thompson did run to the mill gate & look- 
ing towards the mill fl'heel he saw as he thought a man laid down and cried out m_v unkle 
is killed. Isaak in the mean time did run to the waterwheel and found Samuel Converse 
wth his liead fastened between the water wheel and water wall. 

" The said Thompson in the mean time did shut the gate and came running to the sd 
Brooks. Now the water wheel being turned backwards did raise upwards and wee seeing 
his head cleared went unto him and did take him up alive who bled excessively. We did 
carry him into his house and soon after we brought him in his bleeding stopt & in about 
half an houres time as we conceive he was quite departed." 



The verdict of the jury of quest on the death of Samuel Convars. 

" We subscribed being by the Constable of Wooburn Summoned a jury of quest upon 
the suddain and untimely death of Seargt Samuel Convars late of Wooburne, ujjon exami- 
nation of the Witnesses that did take him uj), going to the place from whence he was taken 
up & viewing of the Corps, doe conceive that the said Convars was cutting some ice from 
off the water wheele of the corne mill & so ovei-reacliing with his axe was caught by his 
coate with some parte of the wheele wherebj' his coate was rent to the Choller thereoff & 
that not giving way his head was drawne downe untill it was sucked in between the water 
wall &j the water wlieele. now as is said he did call to shutt down the wheele but in all 
probaliillitie he received his mortall wound soone after he spake to stop the Wheele. We 
saw much blood in the place whereabouts he was judged to stand, also there was blood 
upon the snow from the place to his house, as is said he was carried to his house alive and 
being set in a chair his blood quickly settled witliin him -wholly preventing him from speak- 
ing & in about half an hour was dead. We found the l)ack side of his head greatly bruised 
his nose grizzle as wee tlunk was broken so that the said Convars his head lying as before 
expressed we judge his death to be by the water wheele of the Corne Mill. 'I'l : \'l : 09. 

"RICHARD GARDNER EDWARD IVONS INCREASE WINN 

MATTHEW JOHNSON WILLIAM JOHNSON JOHN MOUSALL 

JOHN WRIGHT JOHN CARTER JOHN BROOKS 

JOHN RUSSELL JOHN NORRIS WILL SYMES" 

Prom " Old Coiu-ersi/ Mill," hi/ Arthur E. Whitney, in Winchester Record, Vol. II., No. 1. 
Located at Whitney's Mill, Main Strcft. 



29 



List of Soldiers who Served in the French and Indian Wars, who lived 
within the present limits of Winchester. 



Major William Johnson. 
Capt. John Carter. 
Abel Richardson. 
Nathaniel Richardson. 
Wjt. DejVN. 



Lieut. James Converse, Sr. 
Major James Converse, Jr, 
John Richardson. 
Samuel Richardson. 
Samuel Thompson. 



Benjamin Carter. 



List of Soldiers who Served in the Revolutionary War, who lived within 
the present limits of Winchester. 



Joseph Belknap. 
Capt. Samuel Belknap. 
Zachariah Brooks. 
Joseph Brown. 
Samuel Carter. 
Benjamin Converse. 
Robert Converse. 
Andrew Evans. 
Jajvies Gardner. 
BenjjVmin Hadley. 
Capt. John LeBosquet. 
JoNATHAJsr Lock. 
Josiah Lock. 
Job Miller. 
Daniel Reed. 
Abel Richardson. 
Abel Richardson, Jr. 
Ebenezer Richardson. 
Elezer Richardson. 
James Richardson. 
Jeduthan Richardson. 



Jessee Richardson. 
Gideon Richardson. 
John Richardson, Jr. 
Jonathan Richardson. 
Luke Richardson. 
Nathan Richardson. 
Peter Richardson. 
ZacharijVh Richardson. 
Zachariah Richardson, Jr. 
Bill Russell. 
Capt. John Syivoies. 
Samuel Symmes. 
Wii. Symmes. 
Zachariah Sytsijies. 
Nathaniel Watts. 
Samuel Watts. 
Philemon Wright. 
David Wyjian. 
Hezekiah Wyman. 
Paul Wyman. 
Jessee Wyman. 



30 



Committee on z^otl) Celebration. 



The Celebration is held iiiuler the direction of the following 



GENERAL COMMITTEE. 



Clidirman, James F. Dorsey. 



xS'ec'.y uikI Trvas., TToiiry F. Joliiison. 



Aithur K. Whitney, 
Albert Ayer, 
James Russell, 
James 11. Winn, 
John W. Richardson, 
Charles F. Lunt, 
James H. Dwinell, 
Henry A. Emerson, 
Edwin Robinson, 
John H. Carter, 



Phineas W. Swan, 
Samuel W. Twonihly, 
Patrick W. Reardon, 
George 8. Littk'ficiil, 
Henry C. Miller, 
Jolni W. Suter, 
Theo. P. Wilson, 
Nathan'l A. Richardson, 
Edward H. Rice, 
Charles T. Sjinmes, 



John T. Wilson, 
Albert E. Ayer, 
Louis Barta, 
J^dward Russell, 
jVbijah Thompson, 
Fred Joy, 
Fred M. Symmes, 
George G. Stratton, 
Thomas S. Spurr, 
Isaac N. Pierce. 



William ILHerrick, 
B. Sargent Briggs, 
Joseph J. Todd, 
<4eorge W. Payne, 
Thos. W. Lawson, 
John L. Ayer, 
Thomas B. Riley, 
George L. Locke, 
James E. Lyon. 



Ahijali Thompson, 



SUB-CO jnimittees. 

HISTORICAL COMMITTEE. 

Arthur E. Wliitney, 

MORNING PARADE fiOMMITTEE. 



George S. Littlefield. 



Jolni T. Wilson, Edwin Roljinson, Albert E. Ayer, Fred ]\I. Symmes, 

James Russell, (4eorge G. Stratton, Patrick W. Reardon, Tliomas S. Sjiurr, 

Josepli J. Todd, Isaac N. Pierce, Thomas P. Riley. 

FIREWORKS COMjriTTEE. 

John II. Cartel', James F. Dorsey, James II. Dwinell, 

George W. Payne, William H. Ilerrick. 



31 



James Russell, 
Albert Ayer, 



John W. Suter, 



COIIMITTKE OX KXEFJISES IX THE TOWN HALT,. 

Arthur E. Wliitney, 
James H. Winn, 



James F. Dorsey, 
Ahijah Thompson. 



DIXXER COMMITTEE. 

Henry A. Emerson, 



James E. Lyon, 



B. Sargent Briggs. 



Thomas W. Lawson, 



James F. Dorsey, 
Louis Barta, 
Fred M. Symnies, 



George S. Littlefield, 



ClIILDUEN S EXTERTAINMENT. 

Edward H. Rice, 

COMMITTEE ON BADGES. 

Arthur E. Whitney. 

FIXANfE COMMITTEE. 

Plenry F. .Johnson, Edwin Robinson, 

Thomas W. Lawson, .John L. Ayer, 
I'hineas W. Swan, John H. Carter, 

COMJIITTEE ox DECORATIONS. 



Charles F. Lunt, 



John IL Cartel 



Henry A. Emerson, 
George G. Stivatton, 
Charles F. Lunt. 



Arthur E. Whitney, 



Phineas W. Swan. 



Samuel W. Twombly, 

COMMITTEE ox MUSIC. 

James Russell, Albert Ayer, 

Arthur E. AVhitney, James F. Dorsey. 

COMMITTEE TO RECEIVE TOWN CITESTS. 



Edward IL Rice, 



.Tames IL Winn, 



Hoard of Selectmen. 



Albert Ayer, Arthur E. Whitney, 

James Russell, James H. Winn, 

James F. Dorsey. ) 

Thomas P. Ayer, Francis II. Nourso, Samuel W. TwomT)ly, George T. Littlctield, 

Abijah Thompson, James C. Johnson, Luther R. Symmes, George G. Stratton, 

Sylvanus C. Small, Moses A. Herrick, David N. Skillings, Joseph II. Tyler, 

Charles II. Dunham, Salem Wilder, Luther Richardson, Josiah Locke, 

Marshall Symmes, Henry F. Johnson, James Y. Dwinell, Freilerick II. Page, 

Samuel J. Elder, Henry C. Miller, Thomas S. Spurr, John T. Wilson, 

Samuel B. White, Geortje S. Littlcfield. 



32 



O f f icia I P rogr amine. 



NATIONAL SALUTES 

Will be fired at six o'clock, a. m., at noon, and at sunset. 

THE 0\40RNING TARADE 

Will start at half-past nine o'clock, under tlie direction of Edwin Robinson, Chief 
Marshal. 

CMEETING IN THE TOIVN HALL 

At twelve o'clock, noon, there will be a public meeting in the Town Hall, at which 
Abijah Thompson, Esq., President of the Winchester Historical Society, will preside. 
Samuel W. McCall, Esq., will deliver a historical address and National anthems will 
be sung. 

Rev. John W. Suter will be the chaplain of the day. 

TUBLIC THINNER. 

At one o'clock, p. m., there will be a collation in a niannnoth Yale tent, on the grounds 
of D. N. Skillings, Esq. After dinner speeches will l)e given by distinguished gentlemen, 
guests of the town and others, and music will be furnished by the Woliurn Brass Band. 
Mr. James F. Dorsey will preside. 

CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT 

At half-past two, p. it., there will be an entertainment in the Town Hall especially 
for children. 



FIREIVORKS. 

include with a grand 

„^ „ . , „..„, „.. „..„,... „ ^ .jld, beginnhig at eight -^ ^^^^^, » . 

Winchester brass bands will furnish music throughout the exhibition 



The day's festivities will conclude with a grand disjday of fireworks by Messrs. 
Masten & Wells, on Bacon's Field, beginnhig at eight o'clock, p. m. The Woburn and 
ichester brass bands will furnish music throno-liniit, the eYhibit.ion. 



^^ 



